Before Delivering Plea, Nadiem: This Case Concerns the Future of Justice in Indonesia

JAKARTA — The former Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, Nadiem Makarim, has stated that the alleged corruption case involving Chromebook procurement, which has implicated him, is no longer merely a personal matter, but concerns the future of justice in Indonesia.

Nadiem made these remarks before delivering his plea, or defence note, at the Central Jakarta Corruption Court on Tuesday (2/6/2026), amidst a prosecution demand for 18 years in prison and the payment of trillions of rupiah in restitution.

“I realise that this case has gone far beyond me. It is not just about one case, nor just about one person, but about the future of this nation, about the future of justice in this country,” Nadiem said prior to the plea hearing.

“And the decision of the Panel of Judges in this case will certainly impact public trust in our legal system; whether it is still based on the principle of justice, and whether it is still based on truth,” he added.

On this occasion, Nadiem also expressed his gratitude to various parties who have provided support throughout the trial process, including online motorcycle taxi drivers and teachers who have actively voiced their support on social media.

“I am deeply moved by the support from ojek online drivers for this case and for the truth,” he said.

“One thing that makes this very easy is: for an honest person, it is very easy to speak the truth,” he continued.

“We do not need to struggle to find ways to defend this case,” Nadiem added.

According to him, the entire defence has been prepared transparently without any facts being concealed.

“We are only presenting facts, honesty, and truth, so the flow of the defence is very easy because there is nothing we are hiding,” he remarked.

During the trial, the Public Prosecutor requested that the panel of judges impose a prison sentence accompanied by fines and restitution amounting to trillions of rupiah.

“(The prosecution requests the panel of judges to) impose a prison sentence on the Defendant, Nadiem Anwar Makarim, of 18 years, reduced by the period the Defendant has spent in detention, with an order for the Defendant to be immediately held in a State Detention Centre,” the prosecutor stated while reading the indictment.